One study that examined 421 adults who previously suffered heart attacks found that after one year, subjects who owned dogs were more likely to live longer than those who did not. Another, analyzed 240 married couples and found that those who owned pets exhibited lower heart rates and blood pressure levels.

Several factors must be considered when you decide what breed to adopt and make yours or your child’s best four-legged friend. “You have to think about what type of family you have, interaction needs, age, how much time you spend in and outside the house,” Dr. Heather Manfredi, a veterinarian at Lap of Love, says. “But the most important characteristic is temperament,” she adds.

Dogs are often victims of stereotypes. Bulldogs, for example, are actually not aggressive and poodles are highly intelligent.

When looking for a dog, observe how it reacts to you and your family. Does it stay in the corner or approach you with a wiggling tail, is it small or big, what’s its energy level, is it strong?